First published in 1983, this textbook is aimed principally at students taking a first course in cell biology. Concentrating on eukaryotic rather than bacterial cells, the 24 chapters are grouped into 4 parts covering: an introduction to the cell (evolution; small and macro-molecules; how cells are studied); molecular genetics (protein function; genetic mechanisms; recombinant DNA technology; the cell nucleus; control of gene expression); internal organization of the cell (membrane structure, transport and excitability; intracellular compartments; vesicular traffic; energy conversion; cell signalling; cytoskeleton; cell division); and cells in their social context (cell junctions, adhesion and the extracellular matrix; germ cells and fertilization; cellular mechanisms of development; differentiation; the immune system; cancer). Each chapter is supplied with colour and black-and-white illustrations and micrographs, a readable text, tables, a summary and numerous references. There is also a useful glossary of terms and a subject index.